The Mayor of Umuahia North LGA Hon. High -Chief Victor Ikeji (Kpakpando- Umuahia) on Monday 8th April, 2024 conducted the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Kene Onwumelie on inspection of the hitherto bicycle repair workshop behind Okigwe park in Umuahia, and ‘former’ Ohuhu motor park which is now a shanty and den for criminals and illicit drug dealers within the state capital.
The Mayor while conducting the Abia police boss round the shanties expressed his desire to demolish the shanties and rebuild it to accommodate motor park and market which will help to clear the traders and transport operators’ activities at Cooperative and ishi-gate axis of the city centre.
Mayor Ikeji said that the activities of the transport operators and traders at Ishi-gate cause a lot of traffic gridlocks and deface the city centre. He said there is a need to relocate them as well as give them a more dignifying place to trade and operate.
He added that demolishing the shanties will also have positive security implications as it will displace criminals and drug peddlers around the city centre
The Mayor echoed the governor, Dr. Alex Otti’s desire to make Abia and particularly Umuahia the State Capital a befitting and secure place to live.
The CP, also speaking during the inspection, said the shanty is a known hub for criminals and drug peddlers in the state capital.
He adduced that it will be in the best interest of the state for the shanties to go or better still put to productive use as suggested by the Mayor.
He assured the Mayor of the partnership of the Nigerian Police Force in Abia State during the demolition and rebuilding of the shanty, as he promised to partner with the Mayor to weed Umuahia of all form of criminal elements.
